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Feb 13 How to watch a sumo morning training session?

Sumo is a traditional Japanese style of wrestling and is Japan's national sport. Six official tournaments (basho), which last 2 weeks each, are held every year: three in Tokyo at the Ryogoku stadium (January, May and September) and one in Osaka (March), Nagoya (July) and Fukuoka (November). But if you are not in Japan during one of these periods, you can still watch sumo wrestlers and catch one of their early-morning training sessions.

Rakutabi, a brand new private guide service in Japan which provides fully customized and private escort guiding services, explains where and how to watch the “ sumotori “ practicing their masterful art.

At Rakutabi, we are not pretty far from believing that seeing sumo in action is one of the best cultural experiences you can have in Japan and watching a grand tournament should definitely be on your list. But we also think that there’s a way to experience this centuries’ old sport up close and personal – as in twenty feet away personal – by visiting a sumo stable and watching the morning training session, known as asageiko.

More and more stables or “beya” are allowing tourists to watch the wrestlers in training and setting up a visit is much easier than you might think. Many travel websites say that for entry into the privileged world of asageiko you need to be accompanied by a Japanese person and so the best way to see a training session is through a guided tour. Usually these are pretty expensive with tour companies charging around 10,000 yen per person.

Well, at Rakutabi we know this, but we make it way more simpler for our visitors.

Step 1 - Find a stable

The Japan Sumo Association website has a list of sumo stables, and you can then search for the relative contact information online (most stables have Japanese websites). Your hotel or hostel should also be able to help.

Arashio Beya has an English page on their website and used to accept visits into the stable but has since relegated tourists to outside where they can watch from the window. If you just want to have a quick look and take a few selfies this could be a good option, though obviously somewhat less authentic.

Step 2 - Call ahead ?

Well, actually, not necessarily.

From our own experience, we think that you’ve got a pretty good chance of catching a morning training session throughout the year. It’s even possible to visit during tournaments though the training will be more relaxed as wrestlers don’t want to get injured.

The Arashio Beya has an easy sample script of what to say when you call the stable or you can ask a Japanese speaker to help you. Generally it’s best to call the day before (it’s not possible to make reservations far in advance) to see if there’ll be a practice and to tell them how many people are coming.

Step 3 - Get up at the crack of dawn

The time training starts will vary from stable to stable, often beginning around 06:00 – 07:00 and lasting approximately 3 hours. It’s respectful to arrive towards the beginning of practice and stay for the whole time, which does mean you’ll need to leave your accommodation with enough time to find the stable.

Step 4 - Follow the appropriate etiquette

Sumo wrestlers train, eat and sleep together in the stable so essentially you are entering into their home and the way you behave should reflect that. Sumo stables are not a tourist attraction and shouldn’t be treated like one so put away your selfie stick, pocket phrasebook and any inclination towards smiling or happiness as this is serious business.

So it might sound a little odd to you but believe us, we at Rakutabi recommend most of our visitors to observe these simple rules :

When visiting a morning training session, you should:

– Bow to the stable master or other senior who’s leading the practice when you enter and leave the stable, as well as to the wrestlers.

– Keep silent. Wrestlers don’t generally talk to each other and the stable master will also keep his directions to a minimum. It’s distracting and disrespectful to even whisper while watching a training session.

– Sit at the back of the room on a cushion (zabuton) that should be offered to you when you enter. You don’t have to sit on your knees in the traditional style – cross-legged or with your legs to the side is fine – but you shouldn’t point the soles of your feet towards the dohyo (sacred ring where wrestlers fight) if possible.

– Absolutely no eating or drinking, and definitely no smoking. Some stable masters and trainers might smoke during a session – if you’re not a fan you just have to deal with it.

– Some kind of gift to leave as a token of your appreciation also goes a long way too – anything edible and nicely packaged is ideal.

– If there’s no way to silence the shutter on your camera then you should refrain from taking photos until the end of practice. Even with your phone, try not to get too snap happy as this can be distracting for wrestlers.

After practice, the atmosphere is more relaxed and some wrestlers will be happy to pose for a picture and chat to you if you speak a little Japanese. Even if the wrestlers aren’t so friendly, the experience is really special. Yes, the experience may not necessarily be very “ friendly “ but you should keep in mind that it is somehow a very unique and local experience :)